Exploring the Intensity of Relationships with Vocational Education Centres: A Typology of Spanish SMEs

Even though the availability of skilled labour and technological know-how is critical to sustainability small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), relationships between industry vocational education system have received little attention in recent literature regarding social aspects innovation. The objective this paper analyse intensity industrial SMEs training (VET) centres from firms’ perspective. study based on a survey carried out with sample 1388 Spanish graduates among their employees. Multivariate hierarchical segmentation techniques were used order identify main explanatory variables. As result, we obtained typology (“tree”) eight organizational profiles associated different levels (from higher lower) firms schools. results show that most maintain relations centres, reflecting importance latter for companies. organisational type having highest level refers experience external cooperation (cooperation other actors innovation projects) which employees (graduates) technical areas are bigger size. Likewise, suggest fruitful collaboration depends existence an established culture smaller firms. This work sheds light economic sustainability. Its discussion linked objectives United Nations sustainable development goals communication European Commission Parliament entitled “European skills agenda competitiveness, fairness, resilience”.